Tool for drawing the ends of opposed members together

ABSTRACT

A hand-operated tool for drawing together and clamping the ends of opposed members, such as lengths of chain, in predetermined spaced relationship. The tool comprises a main arm and a secondary arm pivotally secured to the main arm. A hook is formed at one end of each of the arms for engaging the members to be drawn together and a handle is formed at the other end of the main arm. The pivot point between the arms is adjustable to enable different spacings of the opposed members when clamped. Means are provided for locking the arms in a closed position with the opposed members clamped in spaced relationship.

United States Patent Smith [54] TOOL FOR DRAWING THE ENDS OF OPPOSED MEMBERS TOGETHER [72] Inventor: James A. Smith, Eugene, Oreg.

[73] Assignee: Fibreboard Corporation, San Francisco,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 66,237

[52] U.S. Cl ..254/78 [51] Int. Cl. ..B66f 3/00 [58] Field of Search ..254/62, 63, 74, 77, 78, 99,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,140,757 5/1915 Meyer ..254/78 1,392,221 9/1921 Quint ..254/78 1 51 July 11,1972

1,802,689 4/1931 Wenrich ..254/1s 2,469,614 5/1949 Sweeney.. .....2s4/7s 3,071,348 1/1963 Huber ..254/78 Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney-Kolisch & Hartwell [57] ABSTRACT A hand-operated tool for drawing together and clamping the ends of opposed members, such as lengths of chain, in predetermined spaced relationship. The tool comprises a main arm and a secondary arm pivotally secured to the main arm. A

hook is formed at one end of each of the arms for engaging the members to be drawn together and a handle is formed at the other end of the main armQThe pivot point between the arms is adjustable to enable different spacings of the opposed members when clamped. Means are provided for locking the arms in a closed position with the opposed members clamped in spaced relationship.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PKTENTEDJUU 1 m2 JAMES A. SMITH OR INVENT I BY KM @1240 ATTY.

TOOL FOR DRAWING THE ENDS OF OPPOSED MEMBERS TOGETHER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hand-operated tool for drawing together and clamping the ends of opposed members in a predetermined spaced relationship. More particularly, the invention concerns such a hand-operated tool that is especially adapted for holding the opposed ends of a continuous chain in spaced relationship for the removal or insertion of master links.

Conveyor or link-type chains are utilized in a variety of applications in industry. Such chains are commonly connected in endless relationship adapted to be driven by sprockets. To facilitate the installation and repair of conveyor chains, the chains include removable master links that hold the opposed ends of a continuous length of chain together to form an endless member.

In inserting or removing the master links, the opposed ends of the length of chain must be held in fixed, spaced relation ship. This is awkward to do with one hand while repairing the chain with the other.

Numerous tools have been designed in the prior art for drawing together the opposed ends of a length of chain to facilitate the insertion of a master link. Most of such tools include pivoted lever means adapted for engaging spaced-apart links or the ends of the chain. However, none of the tools available heretofore have been completely satisfactory. Generally, the tools have been of relatively complicated design and have been cumbersome to use. In addition, the available tools cannot be adjusted for use with different sizes of chain and do not include satisfactory means for locking the pivoted levers with the ends of the chain in a position where they are easily worked on.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple, hand-operated tool for drawing together and clamping opposed members in a predetermined spaced relationship.

It is another object of the invention to provide a handoperated tool for drawing together the opposed ends of a continuous length of chain which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional tools.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a handoperated tool which is adjustable for use with link chains of different sizes.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a handoperated tool for drawing together and clamping the opposed ends of a link-type chain which tool can be locked in a closed position.

These and other objects of the invention are attained by a hand-operated tool which includes a main arm and a secondary arm pivotally secured to the main arm. Hooks are formed at one end of each arm for engaging the members to be drawn together and a handle is formed at the other end of the main arm. The pivot point between the links is adjustable to accommodate chain of different sizes and means are provided for locking the arms in a closed position with the opposed members clamped in the desired spaced relationship.

' I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a hand-operated tool designed in accordance with the invention, shown in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 1, shown in a closed position; and

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along lines 33 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, one preferred embodiment of the invention and its manner of use are illustrated. The tool, generally indicated at 10, is shown engaging the opposed ends 11, 12 of a continuous length of link-type chain 14. The tool comprises a main arm 15 having a handle 16 formed at one end with an opening 17 formed in the handle for suspending the tool from a hook when not in use. An elongate slot 19 is formed lengthwise of a central portion 20 of the main arm for a purpose explained hereinafter. Offset from central portion 20 at the other end of the main arm is a member 22 having an angular end extension 23 that terminates in a curved elongate hook 24 adapted to engage the last roller of end 11 of the length of chain.

The tool further comprises a secondary arm 25 including a central portion 27 having an angular end extension 28 that terminates in a curved elongate hook 29, adapted to engage the last roller of end 12 of the length of chain. An opposite end 30 of the secondary arm terminates in an elongate finger or projection 33. A circular hole. 32 is formed in end 30, adapted to receive a pin assembly 34 for pivotally securing the arms together with hooks 24, 29 in opposed relationship.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the pin assembly includes a pin 35 having an enlarged end 36 and a threaded opposite end 38 adapted to receive a wing nut 39. Pin 35 extends through slot 19 of the main arm and through bore 40 of a sleeve 42 that is rotatably confined within hole 32 in the secondary arm. The length of sleeve 42 exceeds the thickness of the secondary arm. Therefore, washer 46, provided between sleeve 42 and wing nut 39, engages only the end of the sleeve with the wing nut tightened. With wing nut 39 tight, pin 35 is fixed with respect to the main arm and the secondary arm is free to pivot I about the sleeve 42. Accordingly, the pivot point between the main arm and the secondary arm is adjustable along the length of slot 19 without impairing the pivotal relationship between the arms.

A locking pin or element 50 having enlarged ends 51, 52 is slidably secured in slot 19. With the arms of the tool oriented in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2, pin 50' can be moved to the left by the operator until it engages the bottom surface of finger 33. In that position, pin 50 serves to prevent relative movement of the arms and thereby lock the tool with the links in the opposed spaced position shown.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the central portions of the respective arms are formed with matching, opposite bends therein so that hooks 24, 29 are positioned in a parallel plane when the arms are secured together by the pin assembly. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, with the arms in the closed position, a surface 55 of the secondary arm engages a corresponding surface 56 of the main arm. The relative dimensions of end extensions 23, 28 of the arms are such that, with the tool in the closed position, hooks 24, 29 are aligned opposite each other. Accordingly, the rollers of ends 11, 12 of the chain are axially aligned as shown, and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance that corresponds to the length of a master link.

In operating the tool, an operator places hooks 24, 29 around the rollers of a single link of the chain to be worked on, and closes the tool thereon with the wing nut loose. This enables the operator to adjust the pivot point of the tool to a correct spacing for the selected size of chain. The wing nut is then tightened and the tool is ready for use.

When adjusted, the tool is opened and placed in engagement with the opposed end of a continuous length of chain as shown in FIG. I. With the tool properly engaging the last rollers of the respective ends of the chain, the main arm and secondary arm of the tool are pivoted together to the position illustrated in FIG. 2. The locking pin is then moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 until it engages the bottom surface of finger 33 so that the tool is locked in the closed position. The ends of the chain are then positioned in axial alignment, with the correct spacing for insertion of a master link. After the master link is inserted, the tool can be easily removed from the chain by first releasing the locking pin and then pivoting the arms in a reverse direction.

it should be apparent that the tool can be used for removing, as well as installing master links. Although the invention has been explained as having special utility for -bringing together and clamping the opposed ends of a continuous length of chain, it should be noted that it has utility in other applications as well. For example, the tool described could be used as a chain tightener, for taking up slack in a continuous length of chain or it could be used for applying tension to lengths of fencing or other continuous members.

It is claimed and desired to secure by letters patent:

l. A tool comprising an elongate main arm having a portion between its ends with an elongate slot formed lengthwise thereof, a handle formed at one end of said main arm and a tool engaging hook formed at the other end of said main arm,

a secondary arm having a central portion with a circular opening formed therein, and a tool engaging hook formed at the other end of said secondary arm,

means pivotally securing said secondary arm to said main arm with said hooks opposed including a pin extended through said slot and said circular opening, a sleeve surrounding said pin within said circular opening, said sleeve having a length greater than the length of said circular opening, and means for selectively securing said pin and said sleeve in fixed relationship to said main arm.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein an elongate projection is formed at the other end of said secondary arm and a locking pin is slidably secured within said slot for selectively engaging said projection to lock said secondary arm in fixed position with respect to said main arm.

3. A tool for bringing together and clamping opposed members in predetermined spaced relationship comprising,

an elongate arm having workpiece engaging means formed at one end, another elongate arm having workpiece engaging means formed at one end thereof, means pivotally connecting the first-mentioned and said other arm for relative pivotal movement, said workpiece engaging means of the two arms having an opposed relationship with the arms occupying a predetermined relative angular position,

said means pivotally connecting the arms including a slot in one arm and pivot means pivotally mounting the other arm fixedly positionable at infinite positions along the length of said slot whereby the arms may occupy their said predetermined relative angular position with said other arm at selected ones of infinitely displaced positions along the length of said one arm, and

means for locking the two arms together to inhibit relative pivotal movement in either of opposite directions when the arms have their said predetermined relative angular position, said locking means having an operative locking condition locking the two arms with the other arm at different ones of said infinitely displaced positions.

4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the two arms are substantially parallel in their said predetermined relative angular position.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said locking means includes abutment surfaces presented by the two arms that engage on the arms being swung into a substantially parallel position to inhibit relative pivotal movement in one direction, and a locking element carried by one arm adjustable to engage the other arm to inhibit relative pivotal movement in an opposite direction.

6. The tool of claim 3 wherein said one arm includes an elongate handle portion at one end, the said slot in said one arm extends substantially parallel to the axis of said handle, and the arms are substantially parallel to each other in their said predetermined relative angular position. 

1. A tool comprising an elongate main arm having a portion between its ends with an elongate slot formed lengthwise thereof, a handle formed at one end of said main arm and a tool engaging hook formed at the other end of said main arm, a secondary arm having a central portion with a circular opening formed therein, and a tool engaging hook formed at the other end of said secondary arm, means pivotally securing said secondary arm to said main arm with said hooks opposed including a pin extended through said slot and said circular opening, a sleeve surrounding said pin within said circular opening, said sleeve having a length greater than the length of said circular opening, and means for selectively securing said pin and said sleeve in fixed relationship to said main arm.
 2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein an elongate projection is formed at the other end of said secondary arm and a locking pin is slidably secured within said slot for selectively engaging said projection to lock said secondary arm in fixed position with respect to said main arm.
 3. A tool for bringing together and clamping opposed members in predetermined spaced relationship comprising, an elongate arm having workpiece engaging means formed at one end, another elongate arm having workpiece engaging means formed at one end thereof, means pivotally connecting the first-mentioned and said other arm for relative pivotal movement, said workpiece engaging means of the two arms having an opposed relationship with the arms occupying a predetermined relative angular position, said means pivotally connecting the arms including a slot in one arm and pivot means pivotally mounting the other arm fixedly positionable at infinite positions along the length of said slot whereby the arms may occupy their said predetermined relative angular position with said other arm at selected ones of infinitely displaced positions along the length of said one arm, and means for locking the two arms together to inhibit relative pivotal movement in either of opposite directions when the arms have their said predetermined relative angular position, said locking means having an operative locking condition locking the two arms with the other arm at different ones of said infinitely displaced positions.
 4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the two arms are substantially parallel in their said predetermined relative angular position.
 5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said locking means includes abutment surfaces presented by the two arms that engage on the arms being swung into a substantially parallel position to inhibit relative pivotal movement in one direction, and a locking element carried by one arm adjustable to engage the other arm to inhibit relative pivotal movement in an opposite direction.
 6. The tool of claim 3 wherein said one arm includes an elongate handle portion at one end, the said slot in said one arm extends substantially parallel to the axis of said handle, and the arms are substantially parallel to each other in their said predetermined relative angular position. 